FWIW, squeaking at the pivots is something I've never heard a Ventana do. Isolating the squeak can sometimes be difficult: it could involve a pivot, or it could invole the saddle, seatpost, cassette, pedals, cable housing, bottom bracket, or some other unsuspected part or interface between parts--even your shoes. You're certain it's one of the pivots?

The pivots themselves are sealed bearings, and in my experience they may get crunchy, but not squeak, when they're in need of service. You wouldn't really "lube" them so much as you'd throughly clean and then regrease the sealed bearings, which is most easily done if you remove the bearings from the frame and rocker. Most people I know prefer to just replace sealed bearings when they're no longer operating well.

Just thought of one more thing: check the shock mount. The upper DU bushing on the shock can squeak on the reducer eyelets when it gets a little worn, and it squeaks exactly when the suspension compresses. (The bushings are cheap and easy to replace.)

FWIW, squeaking at the pivots is something I've never heard a Ventana do. Isolating the squeak can sometimes be difficult: it could involve a pivot, or it could invole the saddle, seatpost, cassette, pedals, cable housing, bottom bracket, or some other unsuspected part or interface between parts--even your shoes. You're certain it's one of the pivots?

That, or the shock mounts. It's a moving part in the rear triangle. I've disassembled and reassembled the shock when routing cables, so I should probably check the shock mounts first.

The pivots themselves are sealed bearings, and in my experience they may get crunchy, but not squeak, when they're in need of service. You wouldn't really "lube" them so much as you'd throughly clean and then regrease the sealed bearings, which is most easily done if you remove the bearings from the frame and rocker. Most people I know prefer to just replace sealed bearings when they're no longer operating well.

I'm aware of this, but thanks. I guess I meant cleaning and applying some lube between the bearings/washers and rockers/struts. The frame is brand new, so the bearings themselves won't need regreasing. I'd never bother with regreasing sealed bearings, as you say. The whole point with them is that they're easily replaced.

I just want to get rid of the squeaking, for which my main suspect now is the shock mounts, I guess.

Before you try all the above, shoot some grease into the zirc fitting on the Needle bearing side. It could be that the xlip rubber seal didn't quite get enough grease on it. And it might be the easiest fix before taking things apart again.

ever find that pesky squeak? doubt that what found w/ mine today would be your problem since yours is new, but this could be handy future reference.
i had a real nasty creaking going on that would be @ it's worst when i was rear braking & a significant weight shift from rear to front would happen. front braking wouldn't cause it. the noise that is. i looked a few times over a couple days & just couldn't pinpoint it. called Sherwood today & he thought it was most likely a cracked chainstay, which wouldn't be too surprising since i had my worst crash about 5 weeks ago. took the chainstay off the bike & checking closesly w/ magnified reading glasses, didn't see any cracks, but the outside driveside mainbearing came out w/ a good pull of my finger. didn't expect that at all. i regreased the bearng & put blue Loctite in the bearing/frame interface surface & i have indeed achieved silence! wonderful thang

I have been waiting for you to post the answer. I have had a bad creak ever since I greased the zirk fitting. I have checked everything and still a loud creak when under load. Nothing while riding flats.

i have one of the new el capitains. main pivot creaks since new. grease, no grease - still creaks. checked all other pivots for tightness. Going to ride it until something breaks in an identifiable way. Annoying just the same.